Communicating video content

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving a selection of a channel at a set-top box device. In response to the selection of the channel, a still image associated with a program is displayed at a display device. The method further includes receiving a multicast stream of video content associated with the selected channel at the set-top box device. At least a portion of the multicast stream is received while the still image is displayed at the display device. The method also includes transmitting the video content to the display device.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from and is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/545,200, filed on Aug. 21, 2009,issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,332,888, and titled “COMMUNICATING VIDEOCONTENT,” which claims priority from and is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/283,545, filed on Nov. 18, 2005, issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 7,596,799, and titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD OFCOMMUNICATING VIDEO CONTENT,” the contents of each of which areexpressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to communicating videocontent.

BACKGROUND

Television and films provide sources of information and entertainment tomany viewers. Content providers offer a large number of channels thatallow viewers to select from a wide variety of programming. Televisionand film content can be delivered through a variety of systems, such asbroadcast networks, cable networks, and data networks. Cable networksand data networks allow providers to offer more channels than broadcastnetworks, because they are less dependent upon broadcast frequencies.

Viewers often change channels during commercials or when a program isscheduled to begin. Data networks, such as digital cable networks, canexhibit latency in displaying video content of a selected channel. Thislatency can be frustrating to viewers, especially when they desire toquickly review the content displayed on multiple channels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an InternetProtocol Television (IPTV) system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system tocommunicate and process video content;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method ofcommunicating video content;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method ofproviding video content;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a graphical userinterface (GUI) to provide video content related to a selection of achannel;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a graphical userinterface (GUI) to provide video content related to a selection of achannel; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an embodiment of a general computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a particular embodiment, a method of communicating video content isdisclosed that includes receiving a selection of a channel at a set-topbox device. The method also includes, in response to the selection ofthe channel, transmitting a still image associated with a program beingtransmitted via the selected channel to a display device. The methodfurther includes receiving a multicast stream of video contentassociated with the selected channel at the set-top box device. At leasta portion of the multicast stream is received while the still image isdisplayed at the display device. The method includes transmitting thevideo content to the display device.

In another embodiment, a set-top box device is disclosed that includes achannel change module configured to receive a selection of a channel.The set-top box device also includes an image control module configuredto receive a still image associated with a program being transmitted viathe selected channel and to transmit the still image to a display devicecoupled to the set-top box device. The set-top box device furtherincludes a video content control module configured to receive amulticast stream of video content associated with the selected channel,including receiving a portion of the multicast stream while the stillimage is displayed at the display device. The video content module isalso configured to transmit the video content to the display device.

In another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is disclosedthat includes instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to receive a selection of a channel at a set-top box device.The computer-readable storage medium also includes instructions, thatwhen executed by the processor, cause the processor to transmit a stillimage associated with a program being transmitted via the selectedchannel to a display device in response to the selection of the channel.The computer-readable storage medium further includes instructions, thatwhen executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive amulticast stream of video content associated with the selected channelat the set-top box device. At least a portion of the multicast stream isreceived while the still image is displayed at the display device. Thecomputer-readable storage medium also includes instructions, that whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to transmit the videocontent to the display device.

Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of an Internet ProtocolTelevision (IPTV) system that may be used to provide video content isillustrated and is generally designated 100. As shown, the system 100can include a client facing tier 102, an application tier 104, anacquisition tier 106, and an operations and management tier 108. Eachtier 102, 104, 106, 108 is coupled to a private network 110; to a publicnetwork 112, such as the Internet; or to both the private network 110and the public network 112. For example, the client-facing tier 102 canbe coupled to the private network 110. Further, the application tier 104can be coupled to the private network 110 and to the public network 112.The acquisition tier 106 can also be coupled to the private network 110and to the public network 112. Additionally, the operations andmanagement tier 108 can be coupled to the public network 112.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the various tiers 102, 104, 106, 108communicate with each other via the private network 110 and the publicnetwork 112. For instance, the client-facing tier 102 can communicatewith the application tier 104 and the acquisition tier 106 via theprivate network 110. The application tier 104 can also communicate withthe acquisition tier 106 via the private network 110. Further, theapplication tier 104 can communicate with the acquisition tier 106 andthe operations and management tier 108 via the public network 112.Moreover, the acquisition tier 106 can communicate with the operationsand management tier 108 via the public network 112. In a particularembodiment, elements of the application tier 104, including, but notlimited to, a client gateway 150, can communicate directly with theclient-facing tier 102.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the client-facing tier 102 can communicatewith user equipment via a private access network 166, such as anInternet Protocol Television (IPTV) access network. In an illustrativeembodiment, modems, such as a first modem 114 and a second modem 122 canbe coupled to the private access network 166. The client-facing tier 102can communicate with a first representative set-top box device 116 viathe first modem 114 and with a second representative set-top box device124 via the second modem 122. The client-facing tier 102 can communicatewith a large number of set-top boxes, such as the representative set-topboxes 116, 124, over a wide geographic area, such as a regional area, ametropolitan area, a viewing area, a designated market area or any othersuitable geographic area, market area, or subscriber or customer groupthat can be supported by networking the client-facing tier 102 tonumerous set-top box devices. In an illustrative embodiment, theclient-facing tier, or any portion thereof, can be included at a videohead-end office.

In a particular embodiment, the client-facing tier 102 can be coupled tothe modems 114, 122 via fiber optic cables. Alternatively, the modems114 and 122 can be digital subscriber line (DSL) modems that are coupledto one or more network nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facingtier 102 can be coupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables.Each set-top box device 116, 124 can process data received via theprivate access network 166, via an IPTV software platform, such asMicrosoft® TV IPTV Edition.

Additionally, the first set-top box device 116 can be coupled to a firstexternal display device, such as a first television monitor 118, and thesecond set-top box device 124 can be coupled to a second externaldisplay device, such as a second television monitor 126. Moreover, thefirst set-top box device 116 can communicate with a first remote control120, and the second set-top box device can communicate with a secondremote control 128.

In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, each set-top box device 116,124 can receive video content, which may include video and audioportions, from the client-facing tier 102 via the private access network166. The set-top boxes 116, 124 can transmit the video content to anexternal display device, such as the television monitors 118, 126.Further, the set-top box devices 116, 124 can each include a STBprocessor, such as STB processor 170, and a STB memory device, such asSTB memory 172, which is accessible to the STB processor 170. In oneembodiment, a computer program, such as the STB computer program 174,can be embedded within the STB memory device 172. Each set-top boxdevice 116, 124 can also include a video content storage module, such asa digital video recorder (DVR) 176. In a particular embodiment, theset-top box devices 116, 124 can communicate commands received from theremote control devices 120, 128 to the client-facing tier 102 via theprivate access network 166.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 102 can include aclient-facing tier (CFT) switch 130 that manages communication betweenthe client-facing tier 102 and the private access network 166 andbetween the client-facing tier 102 and the private network 110. Asshown, the CFT switch 130 is coupled to one or more image and dataservers 132 that store still images associated with programs of variousIPTV channels. The image and data servers 132 can also store datarelated to various channels, e.g., types of data related to the channelsand to programs or video content displayed via the channels. In anillustrative embodiment, the image and data servers 132 can be a clusterof servers, each of which can store still images, channel-related data,program-related data, or any combination thereof. The CFT switch 130 canalso be coupled to a terminal server 134 that provides terminal deviceswith a connection point to the private network 110. In a particularembodiment, the CFT switch 130 can also be coupled to a video-on-demand(VOD) server 136 that stores or provides VOD content imported by theIPTV system 100. The client-facing tier 102 can also include one or morevideo content servers 180 that transmit video content requested byviewers to their set-top boxes 116, 124. In an illustrative,non-limiting embodiment, the video content servers 180 can include oneor more multicast servers.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the application tier 104 can communicate withboth the private network 110 and the public network 112. The applicationtier 104 can include a first application tier (APP) switch 138 and asecond APP switch 140. In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch138 can be coupled to the second APP switch 140. The first APP switch138 can be coupled to an application server 142 and to an OSS/BSSgateway 144. In a particular embodiment, the application server 142 canprovide applications to the set-top box devices 116, 124 via the privateaccess network 166, which enable the set-top box devices 116, 124 toprovide functions, such as display, messaging, processing of IPTV dataand VOD material, etc. In a particular embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway144 includes operation systems and support (OSS) data, as well asbilling systems and support (BSS) data. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSSgateway 144 can provide or restrict access to an OSS/BSS server 164 thatstores operations and billing systems data.

Further, the second APP switch 140 can be coupled to a domain controller146 that provides web access, for example, to users via the publicnetwork 112. For example, the domain controller 146 can provide remoteweb access to IPTV account information via the public network 112, whichusers can access using their personal computers 168. The second APPswitch 140 can be coupled to a subscriber and system store 148 thatincludes account information, such as account information that isassociated with users who access the system 100 via the private network110 or the public network 112. In a particular embodiment, theapplication tier 104 can also include a client gateway 150 thatcommunicates data directly with the client-facing tier 102. In thisembodiment, the client gateway 150 can be coupled directly to the CFTswitch 130. The client gateway 150 can provide or restrict access to theprivate network 110 and the tiers coupled thereto.

In a particular embodiment, the set-top box devices 116, 124 can accessthe IPTV system 100 via the private access network 166, usinginformation received from the client gateway 150. In this embodiment,the private access network 166 can provide security for the privatenetwork 110. User devices can access the client gateway 150 via theprivate access network 166, and the client gateway 150 can allow suchdevices to access the private network 110 once the devices areauthenticated or verified. Similarly, the client gateway 150 can preventunauthorized devices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-top boxdevices from accessing the private network 110, by denying access tothese devices beyond the private access network 166.

For example, when the first representative set-top box device 116accesses the system 100 via the private access network 166, the clientgateway 150 can verify subscriber information by communicating with thesubscriber and system store 148 via the private network 110, the firstAPP switch 138, and the second APP switch 140. Further, the clientgateway 150 can verify billing information and status by communicatingwith the OSS/BSS gateway 144 via the private network 110 and the firstAPP switch 138. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 144 can transmita query via the first APP switch 138, to the second APP switch 140, andthe second APP switch 140 can communicate the query via the publicnetwork 112 to the OSS/BSS server 164. After the client gateway 150confirms subscriber and/or billing information, the client gateway 150can allow the set-top box device 116 to access IPTV content and VODcontent. If the client gateway 150 cannot verify subscriber informationfor the set-top box device 116, e.g., because it is connected to anunauthorized twisted pair, the client gateway 150 can blocktransmissions to and from the set-top box device 116 beyond the privateaccess network 166.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the acquisition tier 106 includes an acquisitiontier (AQT) switch 152 that communicates with the private network 110.The AQT switch 152 can also communicate with the operations andmanagement tier 108 via the public network 112. In a particularembodiment, the AQT switch 152 can be coupled to a live acquisitionserver 154 that receives or acquires television or movie content, forexample, from a broadcast service 156. In a particular embodiment, thelive acquisition server 154 can transmit the television or movie contentto the AQT switch 152, and the AQT switch 152 can transmit thetelevision or movie content to the CFT switch 130 via the privatenetwork 110.

Further, the television or movie content can be transmitted to the videocontent servers 180, where it can be encoded, formatted, stored,replicated, or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication tothe set-top box devices 116, 124. The CFT switch 130 can communicate thetelevision or movie content to the modems 114, 122 via the privateaccess network 166. The set-top box devices 116, 124 can receive thetelevision or movie content via the modems 114, 122, and can transmitthe television or movie content to the television monitors 118, 126. Inan illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the television ormovie content can be streamed to the set-top box devices 116, 124.

Further, the AQT switch can be coupled to a video-on-demand importerserver 158 that stores television or movie content received at theacquisition tier 106 and communicates the stored content to the VODserver 136 at the client-facing tier 102 via the private network 110.Additionally, at the acquisition tier 106, the video-on-demand (VOD)importer server 158 can receive content from one or more VOD sourcesoutside the IPTV system 100, such as movie studios and programmers ofnon-live content. The VOD importer server 158 can transmit the VODcontent to the AQT switch 152, and the AQT switch 152, in turn, cancommunicate the material to the CFT switch 130 via the private network110. The VOD content can be stored at one or more servers, such as theVOD server 136.

When users issue requests for VOD content via the set-top box devices116, 124, the requests can be transmitted over the private accessnetwork 166 to the VOD server 136, via the CFT switch 130. Uponreceiving such requests, the VOD server 136 can retrieve the requestedVOD content and transmit the content to the set-top box devices 116,124across the private access network 166, via the CFT switch 130. Theset-top box devices 116, 124 can transmit the VOD content to thetelevision monitors 118, 126. In an illustrative embodiment, video oraudio portions of VOD content can be streamed to the set-top box devices116, 124.

FIG. 1 further illustrates that the operations and management tier 108can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch 160 thatconducts communication between the operations and management tier 108and the public network 112. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 1, theOMT switch 160 is coupled to a TV2 server 162. Additionally, the OMTswitch 160 can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server 164 and to a simplenetwork management protocol (SNMP) monitor 170 that monitors networkdevices within or coupled to the IPTV system 100. In a particularembodiment, the OMT switch 160 can communicate with the AQT switch 152via the public network 112.

In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server 154 cantransmit the television or movie content to the AQT switch 152, and theAQT switch 152, in turn, can transmit the television or movie content tothe OMT switch 160 via the public network 112. In this embodiment, theOMT switch 160 can transmit the television or movie content to the TV2server 162 for display to users accessing the user interface at the TV2server 162. For example, a user can access the TV2 server 162 using apersonal computer (PC) 168 coupled to the public network 112.

In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 130 can include logic tocommunicate with one or more set-top box devices, such as the secondrepresentative set-top box device 124, in order to receive a selectionof a channel. The CFT switch 130 can transmit the channel selectionreceived from the set-top box 124 to one or more of the image and dataservers 132. The image and data servers 132 can include logic todetermine a program displayed or to be displayed via the selectedchannel, and to retrieve a still image associated with the program anddata associated with the selected channel. The image and data servers132 can transmit the retrieved still image and data to the CFT switch130, which transmits the still image and data to the set-top box device124 for display at the display device 126.

In an illustrative embodiment, the still images stored at the image anddata servers 132 can include images associated with television programson a one-to-one basis. For example, a first image can be associated witha first program such as NOVA; a second image can be associated with asecond program such as M.A.S.H.; a third image can be associated with athird program such as ER, and so on. In another embodiment, one or morestill images can be associated with multiple programs of a singlechannel, on a one-to-many basis. For instance, a first image could beassociated with a plurality of prime time shows on a channel; a secondimage could be associated with a plurality of football games on achannel; and a third still image could be associated with a plurality ofovernight programs or infomercials on a channel. In yet anotherembodiment, still images can be associated with one or more programs ofmultiple channels, such as an image associated with all syndicatedepisodes of Seinfeld, no matter the episode or channel; or an imageassociated with a live State of the Union address displayed via multiplechannels. In another example, a single image could be associated with asingle channel, such as a channel that only supplies weather informationor news.

In one embodiment, a still image can be retrieved by one or more of theimage and data servers 132, based on the selected channel and the timeof the selection. The still image can be retrieved by determining a timeof a selection and which program is displayed on the selected channel atthe determined time. Once the program is identified, a still imageassociated with the program can be retrieved. Alternatively, a bank ofstill images associated with programs running on each channel can beregularly updated at one or more of the image and data servers 132, suchthat a still image is retrieved from the bank of still images based onthe selected channel. In one embodiment, the bank of still images can beupdated by monitoring changes in an electronic program guide (EPG) thatis generated by the video content servers 180 or one or more otherservers, and by maintaining a bank of still images corresponding toprograms shown at a time slot on the EPG.

Data related to channels can include, for example, a channel identifier,such as Channel 9; or a network identifier, such as PBS. The data canalso include data related to current or future programs on the channel,e.g., a program name, such as a program title or episode name; a type ofprogram, such as a news program, a science program, or a sports program;a program audience rating, such as general audience (G), parentalguidance (PG), restricted (R), or mature audiences (MA); an elapsedprogram time, such as eleven minutes; a remaining program time, such asforty-nine minutes; a program start time, such as 7:00 pm; a program endtime, such as 8:00 pm; a program summary or synopsis; a main actor name,such as Jerry Seinfeld; a program host name, such as a game show hostname, a talk show host name, or a documentary narrator name; a programviewership, such as a number of households viewing the program; avideo-on-demand availability indicator; or any combination thereof. In aparticular embodiment, the data can be stored as separate data items,and a user may determine which data items are transmitted to the set-topbox device 124 by the CFT switch 130 or which data items are included ina graphical user interface (GUI) transmitted from the set-top box device124 to the television monitor 126.

In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 130 can include logic totransmit the channel selection received from the set-top box device 124to the video content servers 180. The video content servers 180 cantransmit video content corresponding to the selected channel to the CFTswitch 130, which transmits data corresponding to the video content tothe set-top box device 124 for display at the television monitor 126. Inan illustrative embodiment, the video content servers 180 can associatethe set-top box device with a multicast group corresponding to theselected channel.

In a particular embodiment, the set-top box device 124 can include abuffer that receives data corresponding to the video content. Theset-top box device 124 can include logic to transmit the video contentto the television monitor 126 when a proportion of the buffer is filled,in order to prevent underflow. Alternatively, the set-top box device 124can include logic to communicate with the remote control 128, forexample, to receive an accept channel command or a refuse channelcommand. In one embodiment, the set-top box device 124 can begintransmitting video content to the television monitor 126 when itreceives an accept channel command and a buffer threshold is satisfied.On the other hand, if the set-top box device receives a refuse channelcommand, it can transmit the refuse channel command and a prior channelindicator to the CFT switch 130 via the private access network 166. TheCFT switch 130 can transmit the refuse channel command and prior channelindicator to the video content servers 180, and the video contentservers 180 can transmit video content of the prior channel to the CFTswitch 130, which transmits the video content to the set-top box device124 via the private access network 166. In another embodiment, theset-top box device 124 can issue of a selection of a prior channel tothe CFT switch 130 in response to a refuse channel command.

Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of a system to communicate andprocess video content is illustrated and designated generally at 200.The system includes a set-top box 202 that contains a processor 204. Amemory device 206 is accessible to the processor 204. Additionally, theprocessor 204 is coupled to a network interface 208. Further, theprocessor 204 can be coupled to a display interface 210, such as atelevision interface, through which the set-top box device 202 cancommunicate video content to an external display device, such as atelevision monitor 212. In addition, the processor 204 can communicatewith a remote control device 238, via a remote control interface 216.

The processor 204 can communicate with an external access network, suchas a private Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) access network 234, viathe network interface 208. In an illustrative embodiment, network accesscustomer premises equipment 236 can facilitate communication between thenetwork interface 208 and the private IPTV access network 234. Thenetwork access CPE 236 can include a router, local area network device,a modem, such as a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, any othersuitable device for facilitating communication between the networkinterface 208 of the set-top box device 202 and the private IPTV accessnetwork 234, or any combination thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the memory device 206 can include logic orinstructions configured to provide a variety of functions. The logic orinstructions can be included, for example, in one or more hardware orsoftware modules, such as the modules 218-232. One or more of themodules 218-232 can be included within a single memory device, such asthe memory device 206; within a single processor; or any combinationthereof. In one embodiment, the memory device 206 can include a channelchange module 218 configured to communicate with the remote controldevice 238 via the remote control interface 216, for example, to receivea selection of a channel. The channel change module 218 is configured tocommunicate the selection to an IPTV system via the private IPTV accessnetwork 234. In an illustrative embodiment, the channel change module218 can direct an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) module 220to issue a join command or IGMP report to the IPTV system requestingthat the set-top box device 202 be added to a multicast group associatedwith the selected channel.

In a particular embodiment, the channel change module 218 can beconfigured to communicate with the remote control device 238 to receivean accept channel command or a refuse channel command. The channelchange module 218 can be configured to communicate a command or signalto the video content control and buffer module 226 to transmit videocontent corresponding to a selected channel to the display interface210, when the channel change module 218 receives an accept channelcommand. Additionally, the channel change module 218 can be configuredto communicate a refuse channel command or a selection of a priorchannel to the IPTV system via the private IPTV access network 234. Inan illustrative embodiment, the channel change module 218 can beconfigured to store a prior channel indicator when it receives a channelselection from the remote control device 238 and to communicate theprior channel indicator to the IPTV system via the private IPTV accessnetwork 234 with the refuse channel command.

In an illustrative embodiment, the channel change module 218 can beconfigured to issue a command or signal to a video content and buffermodule 226 to empty video content in the buffer when a selection of achannel or a refuse channel command is received at the channel changemodule 218.

The memory device 206 also includes one or more image and data controlmodules, such as the image and data control module 222. In a particularembodiment, the memory device 206 can include one or more modules toreceive and process images and one or more modules to receive andprocess data. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a single imageand data control module 222 receives and processes images and data. Theimage and data control module 222 can be configured to communicate withthe private IPTV access network 234 via the network interface 208 toreceive a still image associated with a program of a selected channeland to receive data related to the selected channel, which may includedata related to the program or a future program. In an illustrativeembodiment, the image and data control module 222 can be configured tocommunicate the still image and data to a graphical user interfacemodule 224.

In a particular embodiment, the graphical user interface module 224 canbe configured to communicate with the image and data control module 222to receive a still image associated with a program and data related to aselected channel. Additionally, the graphical user interface module 224can include instructions to generate a graphical user interface (GUI)that includes the still image and data. The GUI is illustrated furtherwith reference to FIGS. 5-6.

Further, the graphical user interface module 224 can be configured totransmit a data signal or other signal corresponding to the GUI to thedisplay interface 210. In a particular embodiment, the GUI can alsoinclude one or more indicators of selectable options. The graphical userinterface module 224 can be configured to communicate with the remotecontrol device 238, for example, to receive selections of optionindicators and to issue commands or signals corresponding to theselected option indicators to other devices or modules within theset-top box device 202.

For example, the graphical user interface module 224 can receive aselection of a digital video recorder (DVR) programming optionindicator. In one embodiment, the graphical user interface module 224can be configured to transmit one or more prompts to the display device212 requesting a program to be recorded, a begin recording instruction,a recording start time, a recording end time, or other information orinstructions suitable to schedule a DVR to record one or more programsof the selected channel. The graphical user interface module 224 canissue one or more commands or signals to a DVR control module 228corresponding to the information or recording instructions.Alternatively, the graphical user interface module 224 can issue one ormore commands or signals to the processor 204 or DVR module 228, suchthat the DVR control module 228 receives the information or recordinginstructions from the remote control 238. The DVR control module 228 canbe configured to issue programming commands to the DVR 214 to record thedesignated program at the scheduled time. Where a user designates avideo-on-demand (VOD) program, the DVR control module 228 can instructthe DVR 214 to begin recording the VOD program immediately.

In another embodiment, the graphical user interface module 224 canreceive a selection of a notification option indicator. The graphicaluser interface module 224 can be configured to transmit one or moreprompts to the display device 212 requesting a designated program, atime before a scheduled start time of the program, or other informationor suitable to schedule a notification before or when the designatedprogram is to be displayed at the selected channel. The graphical userinterface module 224 can issue one or more commands or signals to anotification module 230 corresponding to the designated program or otherinformation. Alternatively, the graphical user interface module 224 canissue one or more commands or signals to the processor 204 or thenotification module 230, such that the notification module 230 receivesthe designated program or other information from the remote control 238.The notification module 230 may output an audible or graphicalnotification via a speaker or display coupled to or integrated with theset-top box device 202, or at the display device 212, before or at thescheduled start time of the designated program.

In a particular embodiment, the graphical user interface module 224 canreceive a selection of an auto-change option indicator. The graphicaluser interface module 224 can be configured to transmit one or moreprompts to the display device 212 requesting a designated program, atime before a scheduled start time of the program, or other informationnecessary to automatically change to a channel displaying the designatedprogram. The graphical user interface module 224 can issue one or morecommands or signals to the channel change module 218, such that thechannel change module 218 issues a selection of the channel to the IPTVsystem via the private IPTV access network 234 at the designated timebefore the scheduled start time of the program. Alternatively, thegraphical user interface module 224 can issue one or more commands orsignals to the processor 204 or the channel change module 218, such thatthe channel change module 218 receives the designated program or otherinformation from the remote control 238 and issues a selection of thechannel displaying the designated program at the designated time.

In another embodiment, the graphical user interface module 224 canreceive a selection of a search option indicator. The graphical userinterface module 224 can be configured to issue a search command to thesearch module 232. The search module 232 can be configured to retrieve alist or other information corresponding to channels that display videocontent similar to video content of the selected channel. The searchmodule 232 can retrieve the other channel information from channellistings or other data stored at the memory device 206; from informationstored at one or more servers at the IPTV system; or through acombination of information stored at the memory device 206 and the IPTVsystem. The search module 232 can be configured to transmit the list ofchannels having similar video content to the display device 212, via thedisplay interface 210. Alternatively, the graphical user interfacemodule 224 can be configured to receive data corresponding to thechannels from the search module 232 and to generate a user interfaceshowing the channels. In a particular embodiment, the graphical userinterface module 224 can be configured to receive a selection of achannel from the list and to issue a selection of the channel to thechannel change module 218.

The set-top box device 202 includes a video content and buffer module226. The video content and buffer module 226 can be configured toreceive video content of a selected channel and to output the videocontent to a display device 212 via the display interface 210. In anillustrative embodiment, the video content and buffer module 226 caninclude a buffer that receives the video content. The video content andbuffer module 226 can be configured to transmit the video content to thedisplay interface 210 after the video content within the buffer exceedsa designated portion of the buffer. The video content and buffer module226 can also be configured to transmit a command or signal to thegraphical user interface module 224 to cease transmission of the GUI tothe display device 212, when the video content and buffer module 226transmits the video content. In an illustrative embodiment, the videocontent and buffer module 226 can be configured to empty the buffer ofvideo content when a selection of a channel or a refuse channel commandis received at the channel change module 218.

Referring to FIG. 3, a particular illustrative embodiment of a method ofcommunicating video content is disclosed. At block 300, a selection of achannel is received at a set-top box device from a user. The user canissue the selection, for example, from a remote control device using achannel up key, channel down key, one or more number keys, a favoritechannel key, a previous channel key, any other suitable key, or anycombination thereof. Alternatively, the user can issue the channelselection using one or more keys disposed on the set-top box device. Ina particular embodiment, the method can move to block 302, and theset-top box device can store an indicator of the channel that wasdisplayed prior to the channel selection.

Proceeding to block 304, the set-top box device transmits the channelselection to an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system. In anillustrative embodiment, the set-top box device can transmit the channelselection to an IPTV component, such as a switch, via a private accessnetwork. Continuing to block 306, the set-top box device receives astill image associated with a program of the selected channel from theIPTV system. The set-top box device also receives data related to theselected channel from the IPTV system, which can include data related tothe selected channel, a program of the selected channel, a futureprogram of the selected channel, or a combination thereof. Moving toblock 308, the set-top box device receives a multicast stream of videocontent of the selected channel. In an illustrative embodiment, theset-top box device can receive the video content into a buffer.

Advancing to block 310, the set-top box device transmits a graphicaluser interface (GUI) to a display device coupled to the set-top boxdevice. In a particular embodiment, the GUI can include the still imageand data received from the IPTV system. Additionally, the GUI caninclude one or more indicators of selectable options, such as DVRprogramming options, program notification options, automatic channelchange options, and channel search options. In an illustrativeembodiment, the option indicators can be soft buttons within a regiondisplaying the data related to the selected channel. Moving to decisionstep 312, it is determined whether a selection of another channel isreceived at the set-top box device. If another channel is selected, themethod returns to block 304. Conversely, if another channel is notselected, the method continues to block 314.

Proceeding to block 314, a command is received at the set-top box devicefrom the user. The command can include an accept channel command, arefuse channel command, or a selection of an option indicator of theGUI. The command can be issued using keys on a remote control or on theset-top box device. Alternatively, the command can be issued bymanipulating a cursor or highlight bar to select soft buttonscorresponding to the command on the GUI.

If the set-top box device receives a refuse channel command, at block314, the method moves to block 316, and the set-top box device cantransmit the refuse channel command to the IPTV system. In a particularembodiment, the set-top box device can transmit the prior channelindicator stored at block 302 with the refuse channel command. Inanother embodiment, the set-top box device can issue a selection of theprior channel to the IPTV system via the IPTV switch, in response to therefuse channel command. Continuing to block 318, the set-top boxreceives a multicast stream of video content of the prior channel. In anillustrative embodiment, the set-top box device may initialize thebuffer, such that video content of the selected channel is emptied fromthe buffer when the selected channel is refused. The method thenproceeds to decision step 336 and it is determined whether the videocontent of the prior channel satisfies the buffer threshold. After thevideo content of the prior channel exceeds a portion of the buffer thatis suitable to prevent underflow, the method advances to block 338, andthe set-top box device transmits the video content of the prior channelto the display device.

Returning to block 314, if the command is a selection of an optionindicator, the method moves to decision step 320. In a particularembodiment, at decision step 320, it is determined whether a selectionof a DVR programming option indicator has been received at the set-topbox device. If a selection of the DVR programming indicator is received,the method moves to block 322, and one or more recording instructionsare received at the set-top box device in response to one or moreprompts that are transmitted to the display device. The method thenreturns to decision step 310. The recording instructions can include,for example, a program title, a begin recording instruction, a recordingstart time, a recording end time, or other information or instructionssuitable for scheduling a DVR to record one or more programs of theselected channel. The DVR can be located within the set-top box deviceor at a server of the IPTV system. Where the DVR is located at a serverof the IPTV system, the set-top box device can transmit the recordinginstructions to the IPTV system via a private access network.

Returning to decision step 320, if a selection of a DVR programmingoption indicator has not been received, the method moves to decisionstep 324. At decision step 324, it is determined whether a selection ofa notification programming option indicator has been received at theset-top box device. If a selection of a notification programming optionindicator has been received, the method proceeds to block 326, and oneor more notification instructions are received at the set-top box devicein response to one or more prompts that are transmitted to the displaydevice. The method then returns to decision step 310. The notificationinstructions can include, for example, a program title, a notificationtime, a notification type, such as an audible or graphical notification,or other information or instructions suitable for scheduling anotification to be issued by the set-top box device at or before ascheduled start time of a program of the selected channel.

Returning to decision step 324, if a selection of a notificationprogramming option indicator has not been received, the method moves todecision step 328. At decision step 328, it is determined whether aselection of an automatic channel change option indicator has beenreceived at the set-top box device. If a selection of an automaticchannel change option indicator has been received, the method proceedsto block 330, and one or more automatic channel change instructions arereceived at the set-top box device in response to one or more promptstransmitted to the display device. The method then returns to decisionstep 310. The automatic channel change instructions can include, forexample, a program title, a channel change time, a channel indicator, orother information or instructions suitable for scheduling the set-topbox device to issue a selection of a channel to the IPTV system at orbefore a scheduled start time of a program of the selected channel.

Returning to decision step 328, if an automatic channel change optionindicator has not been received, the method moves to decision step 332.At decision step 332, it is determined whether a selection of a channelsearch option indicator has been received at the set-top box device. Ifa selection of a channel search option indicator has not been received,the method returns to block 310. Conversely, if a selection of a channelsearch option indicator has been received, the method proceeds to block334, and a list of channels that display video content or programs of atype similar to the video content or programs of the selected channel istransmitted to the display device. The list of channels can be retrievedfrom a memory within the set-top box device or from one or more serversat the IPTV system. The method then returns to decision step 310.

Returning to block 314, if the command is an accept channel command, themethod continues to decision step 336, and it is determined whether thevideo content of the selected channel that is received at the set-topbox device via the multicast stream has exceeded a portion of the bufferwithin the set-top box device. After the buffer threshold is satisfied,the method proceeds to block 338, and the set-top box device transmitsthe video content to the display device. The method terminates at 340.

Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a method of providing videocontent is illustrated. At block 400, a selection of a channel isreceived at a switch of an IPTV system from a set-top box device. Theswitch can be, for example, an IP data router or a client-facing tierswitch, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, thechannel selection can be received from the set-top box device via aprivate access network. Continuing to block 402, the switch transmitsthe channel selection to one more image and data server(s) of the IPTVsystem. In a particular embodiment, the image and data server(s) caninclude a cluster of servers, each of which stores still imagesassociated with programs, data related to channels and to programs ofthe channels, or a combination thereof.

Proceeding to block 404, the switch receives a still image associatedwith a program of the selected channel from the image and dataserver(s). Additionally, the switch receives data related to theselected channel. The data can include data related to the channel, oneor more programs of the selected channel, or a combination thereof.Advancing to block 406, the switch transmits the still image and thedata to the set-top box device.

In a particular embodiment, at block 408, the switch transmits theselection of the channel to one or more video content servers of theIPTV system, such as a multicast server. Moving to block 410, the switchreceives a multicast stream of video content of the selected channelfrom the video content server(s). Advancing to block 412, the switchtransmits the multicast stream to the set-top box device via the privateaccess network.

Continuing to decision step 414, it is determined whether the switchreceives a refuse channel command from the set-top box device. If arefuse channel command is received at decision step 414, the methodmoves to block 416, and the refuse channel command is transmitted to thevideo content server(s). In an illustrative embodiment, a prior channelindicator can also be transmitted to the video content server.Proceeding to block 418, the switch receives a multicast stream of videocontent of the prior channel. The method then advances to block 420, andthe multicast stream of video content of the prior channel istransmitted to the set-top box device. The method then moves to decisionstep 422 and continues as described.

Returning to decision step 414, if a refuse channel command is notreceived, the method proceeds to decision step 422. At decision step422, it is determined whether a selection of another channel isreceived. If a selection of another channel is received, the methodreturns to block 402. Conversely, if a selection of another channel isnot received, the method terminates at 424.

Though the aspects of the disclosed methods have been presented in acertain order, for ease of description, certain portions of the methodmay be performed in a different order or simultaneously. For example,the multicast stream can be received at the set-top box devicesimultaneously with the still image and data related to the selectedchannel. In addition, it can be determined simultaneously whichindicator of selectable options have been selected, if any.

Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of a graphical user interface (GUI)to provide video content related to a selection of a channel isillustrated. The GUI can be displayed on a display device 500, such as atelevision monitor. In a particular embodiment, the GUI can include astill image region 502 that displays a still image associated with aprogram of a selected channel. Still images can be associated with atelevision program or a channel on a one-to-one basis; with multipleprograms on a single channel on a one-to-many basis; or with one or moreprograms on multiple channels.

The GUI can also include a data region 504 that displays data related tothe selected channel, programs of the selected channel, or a combinationthereof. In an illustrative embodiment, the data region 504 can at leastpartially overlay the still image region 502. The data displayed in thedata region 504 can include a channel identifier, such as Channel 9; ora network identifier, such as PBS. The data can also include datarelated to current or future programs on the channel, e.g., a programname, such as a program title or episode name; a type of program, suchas a news program, a science program, or a sports program; a programaudience rating, such as general audience (G), parental guidance (PG),restricted (R), or mature audiences (MA); an elapsed program time, suchas eleven minutes; a remaining program time, such as forty-nine minutes;a program start time, such as 7:00 pm; a program end time, such as 8:00pm; a program summary or synopsis; a main actor name, such as JerrySeinfeld; a program host name, such as a game show host name, a talkshow host name, or a documentary narrator name; a program viewership,such as a number of households viewing the program; a video-on-demandavailability indicator; or any combination thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the GUI can also include one or moreindicators of selectable commands 506, 508, 510. The indicators caninclude, for example, an accept channel command indicator 506, a refusechannel command indicator 508, an options indicator 510, or acombination thereof. In an illustrative embodiment, the indicators canbe selected by manipulating a cursor or a highlight bar 512.

Referring to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of a graphical user interface(GUI) to provide video content related to a selection of a channel isillustrated. The GUI can be displayed on a display device 600, such as atelevision monitor. In a particular embodiment, the GUI can include astill image region 602 that displays a still image associated with aprogram of a selected channel. The GUI also includes an options region604 that displays indicators 606-614 corresponding to one or moreselectable options. In an illustrative embodiment, the options region604 can be displayed or incorporated within the data region 504described with reference to FIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the options region 604 can include anindicator 606 corresponding to a DVR programming option. Additionally,the options region 604 can include an indicator 608 corresponding to aprogram notification option. Further, the options region 604 can includean indicator 610 corresponding to an automatic channel change option.Moreover, the options region 604 can include an indicator 612corresponding to a channel search option. In a particular embodiment,the options region 604 can include an indicator 614 corresponding to ago back option, which can indicate an option to return to a previousscreen of the GUI. In an illustrative embodiment, the indicators 606-614can be selected by manipulating a highlight bar 616.

Referring to FIG. 7, an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem is shown and is designated 700. The computer system 700 caninclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 700, or a portion thereof, to perform any one or more of themethods or computer based functions disclosed herein in connection withthe set-top box device or with a network device. The computer system700, or any portion thereof, may operate as a standalone device or maybe a hardware or software module within a server, switch or set-top boxdevice, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in thecapacity of an IPTV switch or set-top box device. The computer system700 can also be implemented as or incorporated into various otherdevices, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions(sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by thatmachine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system 700 can beimplemented using electronic devices that provide audio, video or datacommunication. Further, while a single computer system 700 isillustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions, such as the IPTV system illustrated in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the computer system 700 may include aprocessor 702, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics-processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system700 can include a main memory 704 and a static memory 706 that cancommunicate with each other via a bus 708. As shown, the computer system700 may further include a video display unit 710, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flatpanel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).Additionally, the computer system 700 may include an input device 712,such as a remote control input, an input control panel, a keyboard, amouse, a gaming station input, or one or more keys disposed on a set-topbox device. The computer system 700 can also include a disk drive unit716, a signal generation device 718, such as a speaker, and a networkinterface device 720.

In an illustrative embodiment, the computer system 700 can include aremote control interface 728, such as the remote control interface of aset-top box device illustrated in FIG. 2. The remote control interface728 can receive inputs from a remote control device.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 7, the disk drive unit716 may include a computer-readable medium 722 in which one or more setsof instructions 724, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 724 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 724 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 704,the static memory 706, and/or within the processor 702 during executionby the computer system 700. The main memory 704 and the processor 702also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium thatincludes instructions 724 or receives and executes instructions 724responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to anetwork 726 can communicate audio, video or data over the network 726.Further, the instructions 724 may be transmitted or received over thenetwork 726 via the network interface device 720.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives may be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

In conjunction with the configuration of structure described herein, thesystem and method disclosed provide a still image associated with aprogram of a selected channel and data related to the selected channeland/or program, in response to a selection of a channel. In a particularembodiment, when a user issues a selection of a channel to a set-top boxdevice using buttons on a remote control or on the set-top box device, astill image associated with a program of the selected channel isdisplayed as a background picture and some data related to the selectedchannel or program is displayed in the foreground. Users may spend 2-4seconds, for example, scanning the data on the screen before the userdecides to accept the selected channel, return to a prior channel, orselect another channel. The time period in which the user scans the datacan be used to push a multicast stream of video content of the selectedchannel to the set-top box device, building up the buffer before thevideo content is transmitted to the display device coupled to theset-top box device. In one embodiment, the video content can betransmitted to the display device, when it exceeds a portion of thebuffer. In another embodiment, the video content can be transmitted tothe display device, when the user issues an accept channel command tothe set-top box device.

In a particular embodiment, the system and method can provide advantagesover other channel change methods, by reducing hardware and bandwidthrequirements. For example, high numbers of D-servers are not needed ineach video head-end office to encode unicast streams of video contentand send them to individual set-top box devices. Additionally, the highamount of bandwidth needed to distribute all current channels toindividual customers is reduced by the use of multicast streams.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to suchstandards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and otherpacket switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP)represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards areperiodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards andprotocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed hereinare considered equivalents thereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is submitted with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, variousfeatures may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may bedirected to less than all of the features of any of the disclosedembodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into theDetailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as definingseparately claimed subject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a selection of achannel at the set-top box device; receiving a still image associatedwith a program from a first source, the program associated with thechannel; and in response to the selection of the channel: transmittingdata corresponding to a graphical user interface to the display device,wherein the graphical user interface includes the still image, an acceptchannel command indicator, and a refuse channel command indicator; andreceiving, from a second source, a multicast stream of video contentassociated with the channel at the set-top box device, wherein at leasta portion of the multicast stream is received while the still image isdisplayed at the display device, and wherein the first source isdifferent from the second source, wherein the video content istransmitted to the display device in response to receiving a selectionof the accept channel command indicator, and wherein other content istransmitted to the display device in response to receiving a selectionof the refuse channel command indicator.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the still image is received from an image server of an internetprotocol television system and the multicast stream is received from avideo content server of the internet protocol television system.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the still image is selected from a pluralityof still images.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein each of the pluralityof still images corresponds to a different program available via thechannel.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the still image is furtherassociated with a second program available via the channel.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the program is further available via a secondchannel that is different from the channel.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the graphical user interface further includes an indicator ofthe channel.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the indicator of thechannel includes a channel identifier, a network identifier, a programname, a type of program, a program audience rating, an elapsed programtime, a remaining program time, a program start time, a program endtime, a program summary, an actor name, a program host name, a programviewership, a video-on-demand availability indicator, or any combinationthereof.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of the channelis made using a next channel command, a previous channel command, achannel number input, a selection from a channel menu, a selection froma channel list, a selection from a program guide, or any combinationthereof.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the multicast stream istransmitted to the set-top box device via at least one internet protocolmulticast-enabled router.
 11. A set-top box device, comprising: a videocontent controller configured to: receive, from a first source, amulticast stream of video content associated with a channel, wherein atleast a portion of the multicast stream is received while a still imageis displayed at a display device; transmit the video content to thedisplay device in response to receiving a selection of an accept channelcommand indicator; and transmit other content to the display device inresponse to receiving a selection of a refuse channel command indicator;an image controller configured to receive, from a second source, thestill image associated with a program of the channel, wherein the firstsource is different from the second source; and a graphical userinterface circuit configured to: generate a graphical user interfacethat includes the still image, the accept channel command indicator, andthe refuse channel command indicator; and transmit the graphical userinterface to the display device in response to receiving a selection ofthe channel.
 12. The set-top box device of claim 11, wherein the set-topbox device is coupled to a switch of an internet protocol televisionsystem.
 13. The set-top box device of claim 11, wherein the graphicaluser interface includes data related to the channel.
 14. The set-top boxdevice of claim 11, wherein the image controller, the video contentcontroller, the graphical user interface circuit, or any combinationthereof are stored within a shared memory device.
 15. The set-top boxdevice of claim 11, wherein the image controller, the video contentcontroller, the graphical user interface control module, or anycombination thereof are executable by a processor.
 16. The set-top boxdevice of claim 11, wherein the graphical user interface circuit isfurther configured to determine a type of programming associated withthe channel and to identify at least one other channel having asubstantially similar type of programming.
 17. A computer-readablememory device comprising instructions, that when executed by aprocessor, cause the processor to: receive a selection of a channel at aset-top box device; receive a still image associated with a program froma first source, the program associated with the channel; and in responseto the selection of the channel: transmit data corresponding to agraphical user interface to a display device, wherein the graphical userinterface includes the still image, an accept channel command indicatorand a refuse channel command indicator; and receive, from a secondsource, a multicast stream of video content associated with the channelat the set-top box device, wherein at least a portion of the multicaststream is received while the still image is displayed at the displaydevice, and wherein the first source is different from the secondsource, wherein the video content is transmitted to the display devicein response to receiving a selection of the accept channel commandindicator, and wherein other content is transmitted to the displaydevice in response to receiving a selection of the refuse channelcommand indicator.
 18. The computer-readable memory device of claim 17,wherein the still image is associated with the second program on aone-to-one basis.
 19. The computer readable memory device of claim 17,wherein the still image is selected from a plurality of still images.20. The computer readable memory device of claim 19, wherein each of theplurality of still images corresponds to a different program availablevia the channel.